Along with high-quality work, you want a good price. Pay close attention to cost. Some carpet cleaners will push services you don’t need, and prices for identical services can vary from company to company by more than 100 percent.

Cleaning rugs is more challenging than cleaning wall-to-wall carpet. And because rugs are cleaned at a plant, rather than in your home, you can’t supervise the work. You want an expert to clean your rugs, using proper methods.

Much can—and does—go wrong during carpet-cleaning jobs. The easiest way to avoid these problems is to select a top-rated cleaner to do the work. But it can’t hurt if you know how to recognize common trouble spots.

The Green Movement has spurred new service industries—and marketing schemes—aimed at capturing eco-aware customers. Some carpet cleaning businesses claim to use green cleaning methods and practices. Are they legitimate or is it marketing hyperbole?